Caterpillar in J but hanging by a thread

[mflutterby]

I have one cat that has done his j position on the side of the container rather than on the top. I can see the silk stringy stuff but it is not enough to support him when he starts to wiggle around to turn into the chrysalis. Of course this will probably happen before I wake up and then it will end up falling. What do I do?

[Mona Miller]

If the silk is stuck, you may need to carefully wet it to loosen it. I've taken a stick pin, put it through the silk, lifted it off its current location, and pinned it in better location. You could even pin it to a leaf. I've also taken an old pupa and taken the silk from it and added it if you think there is not enough silk or cottom from a cotton ball or q-tip. Wherever you put it, don't hang it too high and put a paper towel with wax paper under it in case it falls--cushion and something it won't stick to.

[mflutterby]

Well, to my surprise the chrysalis is still hanging on. I really thought that once the cat started the chrysalis transformation it would fall. But when I got up this morning it was still attached to the side of the container. I will move it and attach it inside of the butterfly habitat with the other chrysalis. But for now it is secure. Pretty amazing the strength of their silk. Nature is awesome.